Detroit Schools and Corruption

I wonder why so many of us believe that we can not just hand over 700 plus million dollars of the rest of the states tax dollars to the Detroit School System as well as the keys to the kingdom with no oversight.

Clara Smith, 67, of Southfield, principal at Thirkell Elementary-Middle School, pleaded guilty to accepting $194,000 in kickbacks. She faces 46-57 months in prison when she is sentenced in September and has to pay $195,000 in restitution to DPS.

Clara Flowers, 61, of Detroit, an assistant superintendent of DPS’s Office of Specialized Student Services and former principal of Henderson Academy, pleaded guilty to accepting $324,785 in kickbacks. She faces 57-71 months in prison under the terms of her plea deal and has been ordered to pay $324,785 in restitution to DPS.

James Hearn, 50, of West Bloomfield, principal at Marcus Garvey Academy, pleaded guilty Thursday to accepting $11,500 in kickbacks. All of it was in gift cards. He faces 18-24 months in prison under the terms of his plea agreement and has to pay $11,500 in restitution to DPS.

Stanley Johnson, 62, the former principal of Hutchinson Elementary-Middle School, pleaded guilty Wednesday to accepting $84,170 in kickbacks. He faces between 30-37 months in prison under the terms of his plea agreement and has been ordered to pay $84,170 in restitution to DPS.

Nina Graves-Hicks, 52, of Detroit, former principal of Davis Aerospace Technical High School, pleaded guilty Thursday to accepting $27,385 in kickbacks. She faces between 24-30 months in prison under the terms of her plea deal and has been ordered to pay $27,385 in restitution to DPS.

Tanya Bowman, 48, of Novi, former principal at Osborn Collegiate Academy of Math, Science and Technology, pleaded guilty Thursday to accepting $12,500 in kickbacks. She faces 18-24 months in prison under the terms of her plea deal and has been ordered to pay $12,500 in restitution to DPS.

Norman Shy, 74, of Franklin, longtime DPS vendor and owner of Allstate Services, is charged with paying nearly $1 million in kickbacks to 12 principals and one superintendent for helping him submit fraudulent invoices to DPS for goods that were rarely delivered. Over 13 years, he billed DPS $5 million for school supplies, of which $2.7 million was ill-gotten, prosecutors allege. His plea hearing is set for Wednesday.

Ronald Alexander, 60, principal at Charles L. Spain Elementary — the school that received a $500,000 mega giveaway on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show in February, is charged with accepting $23,000 in kickbacks. His plea hearing is scheduled for May 18.

Tia’ Von Moore-Patton, 46, of Farmington Hills, principal of Jerry White Center High School. She is charged with accepting $4,000 in kickbacks. Her plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Ronnie Sims, 55, of Albion, former principal at Fleming Elementary and Brenda Scott Middle School, is charged with accepting $58,519 in kickbacks. His plea hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Beverly Campbell, 66, of Southfield, a former principal at Rosa Parks School and Greenfield Union Elementary-Middle School, is charged with accepting $50,000 in cash kickbacks. Her plea hearing is scheduled for May 20.

Gerlma Johnson, 56, former principal at Charles Drew Academy, former principal at Earhart Elementary-Middle School and current principal of Marquette Elementary-Middle School. She is charged with accepting $22,884 in kickbacks.

Josette Buendia, 50, of Garden City, principal at Bennett Elementary School. She is charged with accepting $45,775 in kickbacks.

Willye Pearsall, 65, of Warren, former principal at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, is charged with accepting $50,000 in kickbacks. She has not yet entered into a plea agreement.

Now ask yourself is it so unfair for the Michigan Republicans to ask for state oversight over DPS when DPS is begging the rest of the state to suffer, suffer via 700 plus million dollars directed away from programs that could benefit all of the state, instead of just the adults in the DPS system? It is mainly due to DPS's mismanagement and corruption that they are in their situation they are in now.

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